LOS ANGELES: The original drummer for heavy metal outfit W.A.S.P. and a prominent fixture of the late-1970s Los Angeles rock scene, Tony Richards, has died. He was 69.
W.A.S.P. confirmed his passing and paid tribute to their former bandmate on social media, remembering both his commanding stage presence and his foundational role in the group’s early success.
“The entire W.A.S.P. Camp are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our original drummer, Tony Richards,” the band wrote in a Facebook post alongside a photo of the musician.
“He will forever be missed. We in the W.A.S.P. Camp would like to wish his family our deepest condolences.”
Richards first made a name for himself throughout the Los Angeles area in the late 1970s, quickly rising through the local circuit as one of its top emerging drummers.
His reputation behind the kit led to a stint with Dante Fox—the band that would later evolve into Great White—before he joined W.A.S.P. as its original percussionist.
Richards left shortly after W.A.S.P.’s self-titled debut album was released, pursuing live stage work as Steve Riley stepped in to succeed him.
Even so, his former bandmates noted that his departure left a lasting void.
“When the band began, we were four extremely strong personalities. Tony was absolutely equal to any of the others in the band. His personality was infectious,” W.A.S.P. reflected in their tribute.
“He looked fantastic in photos. But his ability to play made him who he was. To watch him play riveted you no matter where you were in the room. When he was gone from the band, we were wounded in a way that we never really quite recovered from.”
Crediting Richards with helping to shape their signature early sound, the band added that his musicianship remains permanently etched into their history: “He was equally a part of that first album and when that record is heard to this day his personal stamp will forever be a part of the totality of that recording.”